[K3PZN-List] August BoD meeting minutes My Two Cents

[John Chesley]

Since I was a witness to this event and really not sure what the Board's
policy was, I think I need to voice my own opinion on the issue after
carefully thinking it over.  Note that my opinion is not directed at any
particular individual but is my feeling in general on supporting hamfests,
etc and is merely my opinion.

While it is truly our general policy to make the "donation" voluntary to all
individuals, I do not think you will get into a BARC hamfest for free if you
do not wish to pay.  Even if you are a club member (which I was for over 20
years) I do not believe they let any member in for free.  If someone out
there knows differently, please correct me.

Also, if everyone who attends the hamfest decides that they do not want or
need to pay, there will not be a hamfest at all.  Everyone does not stop to
think that although the club makes money on the event, it costs us money to
put it on.  The money has to come from somewhere--and I do not believe it is
our place to put on a free show for all.

Ok.  Enough with my general comments.

I believe that a CCARC member (although he has the option NOT to pay) should
want to support the club.  The support can be in the form of volunteering to
work OR to make the "donation" at the hamfest.  While some can argue that
they pay dues and have spent many hours serving as officers and supporting
events and this may entitle them to "free" admission, they may have a valid
point.  But I personally think a club member would naturally want to help
out the club in some way.  And I think we all agree that someone who is
selling at the event should definitely pay.

As a ticket seller at this event, I need to relate a case in point.  An
Oriental gentleman approached me at the gate and asked how much the
admission was per person as his (obviously very young) daughter was getting
out of the car. I gave him the "donation" price and said that his daughter
was free(according to club policy).  He then stopped me and stated that his
overly young looking daughter was 18 and that she was in fact, a licensed
ham.  And then he stated very emphatically (as he handed me $10) that "it
was for a good cause".  

And that is precisely my point--our hobby is a cause that we are all working
and fighting to support. It does take money for us to put on hamfests,
support public service events, educate the young, maintain our repeaters,
purchase supplies, put on annual dinners, etc.  So we need to keep this in
mind when we just want to tighten our purse strings.

In recent years, our membership has declined.  We have a definite shortage
of members who are available to help with events and support the club.
While we have many members who just send in dues every year and say/do
nothing, that kind of member does not make a club.  If the current trends
keep up, we can just have one CCARC member who collects our dues each year
and writes our names down.  We can then all meet up at our hamfest (in an
empty open field) that is not there anymore since we have no one who wishes
to support it--monetarily or otherwise. When you come right down to it,
nothing in life is really free.  So why should our hamfest be free?

Remember that paying your taxes is strictly voluntary as well!



 

-----Original Message-----
From: k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Tony KF3AK
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 10:41 PM
To: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club
Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] August BoD meeting minutes

Being the "perp" who caused the ruckus (about members being charged
admission at the tailgate 'fest), I sincerely appreciate the board's action
here.

I was upset about "members" at the tailgate 'fest.  However, we have all
missed the point.  The main point is the A-word (admission).  The concept
addressed by the board must apply to everyone, not just to members.

Many of us who have been involved in past hamfests have preached that the
word "admission" must be removed from the hamfest vocabulary.  A reminder is
in order for each event.  By charging admission, we are inviting the MD tax
people to charge the club a percentage of gross receipts as an "amusement"
tax (no joke).  I am not sure whether it's gross receipts or net profits,
but any tax is to be avoided.  Our non-profit status does not help here.

Bottom line: We ask for a donation.  The person being asked has the right to
refuse to donate.  Period.

I suggest that minutes item #1 be amended, at tomorrow's club meeting or at
a later board meeting to state (more or less):
"Free access for anyone wishing entrance to hamfests.  All are welcome to
attend the club hamfests without making a donation (and, for members,
without volunteering for any work). However, if the entrant wants a raffle
ticket, he/she needs to purchase one. If the entrant wants to tailgate or
sell indoors, he/she will need to pay the going rate for that privilege."

Also, make clear whether unlicensed spouses, children, etc. are to be asked
for a donation.

I further suggest that the hamfest committee make certain that all involved
in working the entrances are briefed on these points...in writing.

Please don't leave this to chance...we have been doing this for too many
years not to get it right.

Thanks and 73,
Tony KF3AK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Beckman" <n3sb at qis.net>
To: <k3pzn-list at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 6:39 PM
Subject: [K3PZN-List] August BoD meeting minutes


CCARC Board of Directors Meeting, 23-August-2006

In attendance are John K3KWO, Rich N3III, Charles N3TOT, Rob K1RH, Gene
KB3JHR, Bill W3STG, and Steve N3SB.

1.      Free access for club members to hamfests.  Motion by the BoD:
Members are welcome to attend the club hamfests without making a donation
and without volunteering for any work. However, if the member wants a
raffle ticket, they need to purchase one. If the member wants to tailgate
or sell indoors, they will need to pay the going rate.

2.      Mason-Dixon Hamfest. Bill W3STG will be our incident commander. He
will check into the availability of a gator motorized vehicle for
transporting small articles. Rental costs are cheap, but delivery costs
could be more than we want to pay. We still need to find a food vendor.

3.      Membership: Membership Committee activities are still transitioning
to Bill N3WM. Members may pay their dues to either Bill N3WM or Bill W3STG.

4.      Presentation Agenda: September's topic is "NVIS and the MDC QSO
Party" by Rich N3III.

5.      K3PZN-List Reflector announcements for ARES & RACES events: The BoD
does not object to ARES or RACES announcements on the CCARC reflector.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.

Respectfully Submitted;
Steve Beckman, N3SB
CCARC Secretary.



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Next CCARC Meeting Monday September 11, 7:30 PM at the FTC.

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